Grades for 49ers' offense, defense in deflating loss to Saints

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Matt Maiocco hands out team grades after the 49ers' error-filled loss to the Saints.

8 photos
1/8

The 49ers had their chances throughout Sunday to pull off the upset – or at least make for some tense moments down the stretch for the New Orleans Saints.

But four turnovers and plenty of other mistakes prevented the 49ers from keeping pace with half of the NFC West.

The 49ers let one get away, as the Saints took over in the second half for a 27-13 victory. The loss drops the 49ers three games back in the loss column to the other three teams in the division

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Arizona, the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle each own 6-3 records after 10 weeks, while the 49ers fall to 4-6 entering the bye week.

Here’s the 49ers’ report card from their error-filled loss to New Orleans:

2/8

The 49ers could not get to the edge with their outside zone run game. But they kept trying, that’s for sure. The 49ers attempted 25 running plays but it did not net the much at all. There seemingly were more negative plays than positive from the running game.

The 49ers had just 49 yards rushing. Jerick McKinnon had 33 yards on 18 rushing attempts. Undrafted rookie running back JaMycal Hasty had 13 yards on three carries. Hasty left the game in the fourth quarter with a fractured collarbone.

Grade: D-minus

3/8

After an impressive opening drive resulted in a touchdown, that was pretty much it for the 49ers’ passing game. Nick Mullens completed 24 of 38 passes for 247 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

He threw a 4-yard scoring pass to Brandon Aiyuk to cap the first series. But Mullens’ interception in the third quarter was a killer as the 49ers were on the outskirts of Robbie Gould’s field-goal range. Mullens threw one more interception – in the end zone -- with 2:25 remaining when the 49ers had just an outside chance to get back into the game.

Aiyuk had seven catches for 75 yards, while tight end Jordan Reed added five receptions for 62 yards.

Grade: F

4/8

The 49ers devoted a lot of attention toward containing Saints running back Alvin Kamara, and they largely succeeded. Kamara managed just 15 yards on eight attempts.

Kamara, however, did rush for two touchdowns. The 49ers also had a good plan for stopping the running of “quarterback” Taysom Hill, though he still managed 45 yards on eight attempts. The 49ers forced Hill to fumble, resulting in a fourth-quarter takeaway.

Grade: B

5/8

Rookie defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw found that extra step on Sunday. He had been close to registering his first NFL sack at points during his first nine games. He came through with his best game, as he picked up 1.5 sacks.

The 49ers’ pass defense held the Saints to just 123 net passing yards. The 49ers did not generate any turnovers in the passing game, as Jimmie Ward failed to hold onto a catchable pass from Jameis Winston in the second half.

Drew Brees completed eight of 13 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown in the first half before leaving the game at the beginning of the third quarter.

Grade: A-minus

6/8

What a disaster for the 49ers. Special teams gave up a long kickoff return and muffed two punts. Things started well when Marcell Harris recovered Deonte Harris’ muffed punt. But Harris returned a kickoff 75 yards to allow the Saints to build some momentum.

The 49ers gave one away when Ken Webster touched the ball on a punt, leading to a turnover. In the fourth quarter when the 49ers could not afford any other mistakes, Richie James muffed a punt. Three plays later, the Saints had a touchdown and a 17-point lead.

Grade: F

7/8

Kyle Shanahan and Robert Saleh opened strong. The 49ers picked the Saints apart for a 75-yard game-opening touchdown drive.

Meanwhile, Saleh’s defense had the answers early against Alvin Kamara and the Saints offense. But the offense came to a screeching halt as no matter how many times Shanahan wanted to run to the outside, nothing was there.

Grade: C-minus

8/8

The 49ers played hard. That cannot be denied. But they did not play well. The Saints gave the 49ers a lot of opportunities to take control of the game early. They gave the 49ers chances to get back into the game throughout the second half, too.

But the 49ers simply could not string together enough moments of crisp football to pull off the upset victory.

Grade: D

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